EA say they "failed" Need for Speed in past, Criterion game in 2010

Need for Speed is on the road to recovery though, with Burnout developer Criterion's take on the series expected to release sometime next year.

"In recent years, we failed to put adequate resources behind the franchise and, as a result, quality suffered," said Gibeau. Need for Speed is currently under a major reboot.

Need for Speed: Shift has already been received well, and takes a more 'simulator' approach to the driving action. Need for Speed: Nitro has been launched for Nintendo DS and Wii, with the ambitious and ambiguous Need for Speed: World Online fall 2010.

"Next year's Need for Speed has been under development now for some time at our award-winning Criterion Studio." The Burnout dev knows how to make a racer, especially one involving terrific crashes with oncoming traffic - but can they Need for Speed?